SG50 Jubilee Big Walk a chance for them to bond
Sunday's SG50 Jubilee Big Walk will feature more than 400 community performers and motivators. SITI NUR AISHA OMAR (omarsiti@sph.com.sg) speaks to some performers and volunteers who are out to ensure that the event will be memorable
WATER DISPLAY BY PA WATER-VENTURE NEAR THE FLOATING PLATFORM
This will feature a dragonboat, 14 sit-on-top kayaks and a bellboat.
Some of the performers will be wearing T-shirts with the words "chase your rainbow SG100" to signify Singapore progressing into the next 50 years.
Performer Daniel Lee, 54, who is in the People's Association (PA) dragon boat team, said: "I decided to be a participant for this water display since the Walk is an SG50 event that will round up all the celebrations. I wanted to be a part of that."
PERFORMANCES BY PA ARTS & CULTURE INTEREST GROUPS
Along the 5km route, walkers will be entertained by various music performances.
Near the start of the Walk at the National Gallery, they will be motivated by the thunder of percussion instruments from different races beating to the same rhythm.
Mr Paskaran Sreekaram, 46, a full-time drummer and founder of Rhythm Masala, said: "It's an honour to perform in this SG50 Walk and I'm excited to meet PM Lee."
As Walkers near the last stretch of the route, at Marina Bay Sands, they will see Madam Christine Ng, 70, and other members of the PAssionArts Ukulele Network singing and strumming.
Madam Ng said: "I'm glad to be performing at the Walk as I'll get to be with my friends who will perform alongside me.
"I wish I could walk along the route, too, but maybe next year."
PASSIONARTS WORKS-OF-WONDER (W.O.W.!) GALLERY
Be energised by beautiful art installations from the People's Association (PA) PAssionArts Works-of-Wonder (W.O.W.!) Gallery at The Meadow, Gardens by the Bay.
These are large-format visual arts installations, co-created by residents and artists at the recent PAssionArts Festival 2015.
The most impressive installation will be the canvas paintings by residents, hung at the blocks of Tampines and Chong Pang divisions.
Mr Ler Hock Chuan, 49, the artist who worked with Chong Pang residents to create the 40.5m-wide and 24.5m-high facade art on Block 701, Yishun Avenue 5, said: "It was wonderful to work with the residents and see those as old as 70 and as young as four working together for the sake of art."
One of the residents was Mr Paulus Tan, 53, a production manager who, with his teenage daughter, Elizabeth, bonded while working on the facade.
Mr Tan said: "It was a marvellous experience working with the residents and also my own daughter on this art piece. I'm really happy that the facade art that everyone worked hard on will be displayed at the Walk."
Chance to strengthen their bond
A 5km walk is not only a good form of exercise, it can be a great way to bond, as a community and as Singaporeans.
So when officials from the West Coast Community Sports Club (CSC) heard about the SG50 Jubilee Big Walk, they seized the opportunity to join as a group of 17.
Mr Chua Sua Thian, 73, vice-chairman of West Coast CSC, said: "It's going to be a group walk for West Coast CSC. Through this Walk, we hope it will spur people on to start leading healthy lifestyles."
West Coast residents and their families will join 25,000 others in the Walk this Sunday at 7am.
Mr Chua, who is going with his two daughters and teenage grandson, said: "I'm excited as it's the SG50 Jubilee Big Walk and I want to soak up and enjoy the atmosphere."
Mr William Lee, 56, who is also vice-chairman of West Coast CSC, is looking forward to enjoying the iconic landmarks and "reliving my memories of being at some of these landmarks".
Another CSC, from Sengkang Central, is hoping its residents will bond and get to know one another better during the Walk.
Mr Tan Jong Aik, 55, chairman of Sengkang Central CSC, said: "A busload of us, about 40 people, will be going for the event. I'm looking forward to bonding with my residents through this Walk."
When Bukit Batok East CSC put out the call to join the walk, 40 residents signed up.
Said Mr S. N. Kumar, 61, chairman of Bukit Batok East CSC: "It's great to be part of the 25,000 crowd as this is a historical event that will round up the SG50 year."
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